Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will both compete in the 2026 World Cup, marking a record sixth appearance for each player and likely their final World Cup. [1, 2, 3]
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has defined football for nearly two decades since they finished second and third behind Kaka in the 2007 FIFA Player of the Year awards. [1] Together, they have scored approximately 2,000 career goals and won 85 trophies between club and country. [1] Messi has won seven or eight Ballon d'Or awards and led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles, including in 2021 and 2024. [1, 2, 3]
Ronaldo's achievements include winning the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025 with Portugal. [1, 2] Last season, Ronaldo scored 30 goals in 37 matches for Al-Nassr and holds 143 international goals for Portugal. [3]
Messi is Argentina's all-time leading scorer and appearance record holder. [3] However, he has struggled with injury in the lead-up to the 2026 tournament, raising doubts about playing every match. [3] Luka Modric, likely playing his fifth and final World Cup after cheekbone surgery, as well as other stars like Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk, may also be making their last World Cup appearances in 2026. [2, 3]
The debate over who is the greatest of all time remains unresolved. Former player Rio Ferdinand has said, "It has to be Ronaldo," while Barcelona's Xavi counters, "Messi is the best there has ever been." Angel di Maria called the rivalry "unprecedented," saying, "Two players like them, competing at that level for so many years, fighting over the Ballon d'Or and scoring that many goals... I don't think we'll see it again." [1]
In 2012, Ronaldo described their rivalry by saying, "You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche. It is a different engine. Some people say I am better, some people say he is. They are going to decide who is better in the moment and I think it's me." [1]
Messi and Ronaldo will take to the field in the 2026 World Cup, set to begin in June 2026 across North America. Their participation will close a remarkable chapter in football history.
